The sea breeze carried the smell of salt deep into Ironspire City.
From the harbor to the eastern road, banners fluttered above the streets, their red cloth snapping in the wind. Shops opened early, vendors shouted louder than usual, and footsteps never seemed to stop. Children in clean clothes clung to their parents' hands, some excited, some nervous, some pretending not to care.
Today was Awakening Day.
Near the eastern district stood Ironspire Academy. The wide street in front of its gates had long since lost any empty space. Parents crowded together, whispering hopes into small ears. Some clasped their hands tightly, as if prayer alone could bend fate.
A boy stood among them, his fingers locked around his father's sleeve.
"Dad," he said, craning his neck to look at the academy gates. "What do you think I'll awaken?"
His voice trembled with excitement he could barely hold back.
The boy had short black hair and eyes so clear they seemed to reflect the sky itself. He was taller than most children his age, and even in plain clothes, people's gazes lingered on him for a second longer than usual.
His father followed his gaze.
"I don't know," the man replied. "No one does."
The answer was honest, but it made his chest feel heavy.
Around them, a child burst into tears as a teacher gently guided him away. Not far off, someone laughed loudly, hugging their son as neighbors crowded around with envy clear on their faces.
The boy tightened his grip. "But I'll have soul power, right?"
His father looked down at him.
He wanted to say yes. He wanted to promise it.
Instead, he rested a hand on the boy's head and smiled. "No matter what happens, you're my son. That won't change."
The boy nodded hard, as if memorizing the words. "I know. But I still want to be a Soul Master."
Time crawled.
The sun climbed higher. The crowd thinned little by little. Every child who walked back out carried an answer written plainly on their face.
Then a voice rang out from the academy gate.
"Raymond!"
The boy jolted. "That's me!"
He nearly tripped as he rushed forward, dragging his father along.
A teacher glanced at them, checked the list, and turned without another word. "Follow me."
Inside the academy, the noise vanished.
White walls and red roofs lined quiet paths. Leaves barely stirred. Raymond, aka Ray, slowed his steps, eyes darting everywhere, as if afraid to miss something important.
They stopped in front of a round building.
"Parents wait here," the teacher said.
Wilheim crouched and straightened his son's collar. "Listen carefully. Don't be nervous."
Ray grinned. "I'll awaken something amazing."
Wilheim watched the door close behind him.
For a moment, the past pressed in.
Years ago, he had stood in the same place. The same hope. The same fear.
The Awakening Chamber never changed.
Inside, Ray climbed the stairs to the third floor. Each step echoed softly. The room he entered glowed faintly, strange lines carved into the walls and ceiling, flowing together like living things.
A man stood at the center.
He wore an orange robe embroidered with a soul beast. His presence felt calm, steady, like deep water.
Ray swallowed. "H-hello."
The man smiled. "Come. Stand here."
Ray obeyed, then blurted out, "Sir, what martial soul will I get?"
The Spirit Master chuckled. "If I knew that, I wouldn't be here doing awakenings all day."
Ray's shoulders drooped, then he brightened again. "My dad says my eyes are special."
The Spirit Master looked closer. "They are. Who knows? Fate has a sense of humor."
Ray's heart began to race.
The man raised a hand. "Be still. We're starting."
The room grew quiet.
Ray then stood alone at the center of the room.
The chamber felt too big for him. The walls curved upward, covered in glowing carvings that looked like they were watching him back. His feet shifted on the smooth floor. He clasped his hands together, then loosened them again. Without his father beside him, even breathing felt louder than usual.
"Don't move," the Spirit Master said calmly.
Ray froze.
The man lifted his hand.
A soft white glow bloomed in his palm.
Ray's eyes widened. The light wasn't harsh. It was gentle, warm, like sunlight passing through clouds. His heart thumped hard against his chest.
Is that… soul power?
The Spirit Master flicked his wrist.
The light shot upward and burst near the ceiling, spreading like silent fireworks. The carvings overhead lit up one after another. Lines of light flowed down the walls, crawling like living veins, until they gathered beneath Ray's feet.
The floor warmed.
A strange tingling climbed up his legs.
"Ah…!" Ray gasped.
The feeling wasn't pain at first. It was numb. Then it spread faster, rushing into his chest. His body trembled on its own. He tried to stay standing, but his knees shook.
His vision blurred.
Something moved inside his head. A shape. No, many shapes. They flickered, overlapping, slipping away whenever he tried to focus. He felt like he was chasing a dream that refused to slow down.
Suddenly—
"Ahhh!"
His cry echoed through the chamber.
The Spirit Master vanished from his spot and reappeared in front of him in an instant. He reached out, ready to stop the ritual.
Then he froze.
Golden lines flickered across Ray's forehead.
They spread outward, thin and bright, tracing his arms and legs like a glowing net before sinking back into his skin.
The Spirit Master stared.
He had seen countless awakenings. Thousands of children. Never this.
A faint ripple pulsed from Ray's lower abdomen.
Soul power.
Weak, but unmistakable.
The Spirit Master's eyes lit up. A child with soul power. That alone was rare enough.
The golden lines vanished.
Ray's face twisted as pain slammed into him.
Heat erupted from his bones. His stomach felt swollen, as if it would burst. He couldn't breathe. His muscles screamed. It felt like his body was being pulled apart piece by piece.
He wanted to cry.
He wanted his dad.
Time stretched until it meant nothing.
Then, slowly, the pain retreated.
Warmth flowed into his palm.
Ray opened his eyes.
A small blade of blue grass rested in his hand. It swayed gently, glowing faintly.
"Silverfalls Vine…" the Spirit Master murmured.
His voice fell, then caught in surprise.
Ray stared at it, his lips trembling. "This… is my martial soul?"